Sons of The American Legion
YOUTH HANDBOOK
THE FOUR PILLARS
The American Legion’s four pillars – Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation,
National Security; Americanism, and Children and Youth – are as relevant today
as when our organization was founded in 1919.
All American Legion officers should be familiar with the programs offered under
each pillar, along with how to conduct and publicize them, recruit participants
and inspire community involvement.
In addition, all officers should know the Legion’s legislative positions and be
fully engaged in discussing with local, state and national elected officials how to
support and achieve our legislative goals.
As an officer, strive to become a source of Legion history and knowledge. Be
eager and prepared to answer any and all questions from a potential new
member, and to speak with authority about The American Legion to other
community groups.
Welcome every new member into the Legion by assigning him or her a mentor
who is familiar with our traditions, customs, policies and programs.
Finally, encourage members old and new to complete The American Legion
Extension Institute, which is the best and most convenient way to gain
basic knowledge of who we are and what we do. Many Legionnaires want to
become stronger leaders, but just need the opportunity, making continuous
training and education programs necessary at every level – post, district,
county and department.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overview
About the Sons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Preamble to the SAL Constitution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
History of the Sons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Supporting veterans and their families. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Promoting patriotism and Americanism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Advocating for programs for youth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Other ways to participate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Recognition awards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Symbols of patriotism
SAL emblem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
SAL cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
History of the American flag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Proper display of the flag. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Procedures for folding the flag. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
The national anthem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
The Pledge of Allegiance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Signing the Pledge of Allegiance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
The POW-MIA flag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Blue Star Service Banners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
The American’s Creed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Programs and opportunities
Oratorical contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
American Legion Baseball . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Boys State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Junior Shooting Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Youth Cadet Law Enforcement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Children and youth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Websites and resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Sons of The American Legion YOUTH HANDBOOK
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OVERVIEW
About the Sons
The Sons of The American Legion (SAL), created in 1932, is an organized program
within The American Legion. It is made up of boys and men of all ages whose
parents or grandparents served in the United States military and became eligible for
membership in The American Legion. Together, members of The American Legion,
The American Legion Auxiliary, the Sons of The American Legion and Legion Riders make up the Legion Family, which consists of about 3.4 million members.
All three organizations place
high importance on preserving American traditions and
values, improving the quality
of life for our nation’s children,
caring for veterans and their
families and, perhaps most
importantly, teaching the fundamentals of good citizenship.
The mission of the Sons is to
support veterans and their
families and the policies of The
American Legion. Virtually
everything that involves the
Sons could be grouped under
three areas:
How to join the Sons
All male descendants, adopted sons,
stepsons and grandsons of veterans who
served during wartime are eligible for
membership in the Sons of The American
Legion. The service periods include the
ongoing war on terrorism, the Persian
Gulf War, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, the
Vietnam War, the Korean War, and World
Wars I and II.
To join the SAL, contact an American
Legion post near you. To locate a post near
you, visit www.legion.org/posts.
• Supporting veterans and their families.
• Promoting patriotism and Americanism.
• Advocating for programs which benefit the youth of our country.
Those ideals have motivated hundreds of thousands of males to join the Sons, enabling them to become involved in American Legion programs with their fathers
and/or grandfathers. Many younger members get involved and learn valuable
leadership skills involving organization, public speaking, negotiating, budgeting
and fundraising skills. Membership in the SAL also provides individuals with opportunities to forge lifelong friendships with people who share a common bond.
Preamble to the Constitution of the Sons
of The American Legion
Proud possessors of a priceless heritage, we male descendants of veterans of the
Great Wars, associate ourselves together as “Sons of The American Legion” for
the following purposes:
To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to main2
Sons of The American Legion YOUTH HANDBOOK
tain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a true spirit of Americanism; to preserve the memories of our former members and the associations of our members
and our forefathers in the Great Wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation
to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and
the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and good will on
earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and
democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our friendship by our devotion to mutual
helpfulness; to adopt in letter and spirit all of the great principles for which The
American Legion stands; and to assist in carrying on for God and Country.
History of the Sons
The first squadron chartered was Bruce P. Robison Post 133 in Indianapolis. The
first membership card was issued to John P. Ragsdale; his brothers Edward and
Robert were also charter members and received cards Nos. 2 and 3. John was
killed in an aerial mission over Germany in 1943; Edward was also killed in
service during World War II. In 1946 the name of the post was changed to
Robison-Ragsdale Post 133.
By 1934, the SAL had expanded to 24 detachments, 170 squadrons, and 524
members. In the late 1930s, Sons were closely involved with Legionnaires in nationwide radio programs and printed a monthly national newspaper called “The
Legion Heir.” There were more than 60,000 members in 1938 when Paramount
Pictures released a film titled “Sons of The Legion” starring Donald O’Connor,
William Frawley and Evelyn Keyes. The movie played in thousands of theaters
around the country where local SAL musical units provided live entertainment.
The SAL had more than 70,000 members in the late 1930s. However, with the
onset of World War II, many Sons marched off to war and many of them never
returned. When Sons returned home after World War II, they found their military service had made them eligible to join The American Legion. In the decade
between 1946 and 1956, an era, which included the Korean War, millions of
ex-servicemen and women, joined The American Legion. As the membership of
the Legion swelled, membership in the Sons dropped to fewer than 6,000.
Only through the efforts of dedicated Legion Family members did the SAL membership turn around. In 1958, membership inched passed the 10,000 mark and
then climbed to nearly 17,000 in the early 1960s.
The Sons’ first National SAL Workshop was held during the Legion’s 1964
National Convention in Dallas. National workshops continued annually
through 1967, and were then replaced by national caucuses, which were held
annually through 1971.
In 1972, the Legion’s National Executive Committee (NEC) approved the creation of a national SAL organization under the full supervision and control of the
NEC. This opened the door for the Sons of The American Legion to hold its first
National Convention in Chicago in August 1972. Robert Faust of California was
elected the first national commander of the Sons.
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Each year since 1972 the SAL has recorded new all-time membership records. In
1989, Sons membership exceeded 100,000 for the first time; membership broke
the 200,000 mark in 1997.
Supporting veterans and their families
SAL members have volunteered hundreds of thousands of hours in VA hospitals
and medical centers throughout the country and raised millions of dollars that
have been used to purchase items including TVs, radios, medical equipment and
clothing for patients.
There are countless ways in which Sons can assist veterans and deployed military
personnel. Sons volunteer at VA hospitals around the country, talking or playing
games with veterans. SAL members also assist veterans with chores around their
homes such as performing yardwork or running errands. Additionally, members
of the Sons handle similar activities for families of servicemembers who are on
deployment. Here are some other examples of activities that SAL members or
squadrons can participate in:
• Visit patients in a VA medical center or a nursing home.
• Send a greeting card to a hospitalized veteran.
• Study and learn about veterans.
• Participate in the Veterans History Project.
• Help with your local Auxiliary Poppy drive.
• Participate in an “Adopt A Veteran” program.
• Learn about the service eligibility of the veteran through whom you are
eligible for membership.
The American Legion and its Auxiliary have a specific program for those under
21 who volunteer at VA facilities: Volunteens.
Those who have been fully integrated into the voluntary service program aid in
the recovery and rehabilitation of sick and disabled veterans, under the supervision of VA staff members,
The student volunteers will receive valuable experience and training which will
benefit them in applying for college and jobs. Student volunteers are liaisons
within their communities and provide a valuable element of caring for veterans.
The VA Voluntary Service program offers students excellent opportunities for:
• Exploring health-care career options.
• Gaining experience in a health-care environment.
• Learning new skills.
• Making new friends.
• Qualifying to be nominated for a James H. Parke Memorial Youth Scholarship.
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There are many opportunities to explore in the Volunteens program. A wide variety of assignments are available. Volunteers are selected according to the needs of
the medical center, assignment preference and skills. Training is provided by the
VA medical facility.
The SAL also helps raise money for veterans and programs that assist them.
For example, the Sons are great supporters of the Fisher House Foundation. Fisher
Houses, which are similar to Ronald McDonald Houses, provide a place to stay for
family members of wounded servicemembers who are undergoing rehabilitation.
Fisher Houses are located near VA hospitals, medical centers or military bases. The
houses are there to assist veterans and their families overcome the costly burden of
staying somewhere when a loved one is using a VA medical facility.
Throughout The American Legion, there are individuals who lead programs that
assist veterans. There are service officers at the local, district, state and national levels
who are knowledgeable in connecting volunteers to opportunities to assist veterans.
To find out where help is most needed, contact an American Legion service officer in your area. The local post and/or squadron should be able to assist.
Promoting patriotism and Americanism
Regardless of where SAL members live or how active their squadron is, they can
demonstrate being good citizens and promote Americanism in their communities and schools. Ideas on promoting Americanism and helping your community
can be as easy as:
• Learning proper flag etiquette and respect for the flag.
• Learning “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
• Participating in Memorial Day and Veterans Day programs.
• Entering an American Legion Auxiliary Essay Contest (grades 3-12).
• Participating in your local Color Guard.
• Promoting the Blue Star Banner to honor all who are serving America.
• Assisting at blood drives.
• Participating in an Adopt-a-Highway program.
• Organizing a community food drive.
• Recycling.
• Tutoring someone.
• Collecting pop tabs for Ronald McDonald Houses.
Advocating for programs which benefit the youth of our country
SAL is a major contributor to the Child Welfare Foundation (CWF) In fact, the
Sons organization is the single largest contributor to the CWF. In less than a
decade, the SAL has accounted for more than $6 million to the CWF.
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The foundation is a nonprofit corporation that accepts funding proposals from
nonprofit organizations for projects that contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children.
Donations fund these projects, which is where Sons squadrons can assist the CWF.
Squadrons are encouraged to hold community fundraisers - duck races, car
washes, etc. - with the proceedings going to the CWF. Additionally, National
Headquarters will provide items such as CWF coffee mugs and coins that can be
sold as a way to raise money for the foundation. Contact National Headquarters
by calling (317) 630-1202 or emailing [email protected].
Another option for squadrons is to donate money as part of a memorial.
Memorial certificates are made for donations of $20 or more. Donations of $300
or more are recognized with plaques.
Not only can SAL members help fund these projects, they can also help their
squadron receive national recognition.
Every year at the National Convention, the national chairman gives out certificates to detachments, districts, squadrons and individual members who have
made significant donations to the CWF. Awards are also given out to recognize
detachments which have made the largest per capita donations. These awards are
given out at the National Convention:
Garland R. Murphy Jr. Award: for the detachment with the highest donations.
Heritage Circle Gift Club: Plaques for cumulative donations made during the
year. Benefactor: $5,000 (gold); Patron: $2,500 (silver); Sponsor: $1,000 (bronze).
Cornerstone Gift Club, awards to individuals for cumulative donations:
Foundation Ambassadors, $1,000 (gold logo pin with five diamonds); President’s
Circle, $500 (gold logo pin with one diamond); Foundation Partners, $250 (gold
logo pin with one blue sapphire); Century Club, $100 (gold logo pin with one
amethyst).
Child Welfare Banners/Streamers: awarded to squadrons with $1 per capita per
member.
Other detachment (state level) awards: the Spirit of Excellence awards and the
Leadership Club awards are available for those detachments that participate.
Other ways to participate
• Attend a district or detachment meeting.
• Serve as an officer in your squadron.
• Learn how to introduce a guest at a meeting.
• Make a motion or second a motion.
• Chair a special activity.
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Sons of The American Legion YOUTH HANDBOOK
• Know membership eligibility for The American Legion, American Legion
Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion.
• Know the meaning of the SAL emblem.
• Help with your squadron’s membership drive.
• Learn the SAL Preamble to the Constitution.
• Sign up a new member in the SAL.
Recognition awards
The Sons of The American Legion offers recognition plans to those who epitomize qualities such as patriotism and citizenship. The most well-known programs are the Ten Ideals and the Five Point Program of Service:
The Ten Ideals: This award of recognition may be presented to SAL members
who have completed the Ten Ideals Programs. The Ten Ideals are: Patriotism,
Health, Knowledge, Training, Honor, Faith, Helpfulness, Courtesy, Reverence
and Comradeship.
The Five-Star Award: This award can be presented to SAL members who show
perfection in the Five Point Program of Service. The award is a gold plated medal
bearing the SAL emblem, and the symbol is of the five points.
Insignia for the Five-Star Award can only be had by certification. This is the study
program for older members. The five points are:
• Patriotism: Love of flag; love of country
• Citizenship: Individual obligation of citizenship
• Discipline: Respect for and obedience to rules
• Leadership: Participation in group activities
• Legionism: Knowledge of The American Legion
Detailed information on the Ten Ideals and the Five Point Program can be found
in the Squadron Handbook of Sons of The American Legion.
Five-Star Medal
The Ten Ideals Medal
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SYMBOLS OF PATRIOTISM
The Sons of The American Legion organization is recognized by its emblem,
which is similar to its parent organization, The American Legion. SAL members
wear a specific cap.
SAL emblem
• The design of the SAL emblem was taken from The American Legion’s emblem, but is oval in shape so as to be easily distinguished.
• The star in the center represents our country, and the five points of the star
represent the five-point program of the Sons of The American Legion.
• The sun in the background represents the Sons and the rays represent the
loyalty of its membership.
• The blue of the emblem, like the blue of our flag, stands for justice.
• The two stars in the blue border stand for freedom and democracy.
• The wreath below the star is in memory of our comrades, and those who
willingly gave their lives for their country.
• The 10 points of the emblem represent the 10 ideals of every Legion son.
SAL cap
The SAL cap should be worn at all SAL and Legion Family functions. Different
colored hats denote different administrative levels throughout the Sons:
• Squadron member or officer – French blue with red, white and blue piping
• District officer – French blue bottom with piping and white top
• Detachment officer – French blue with piping and gold top
• National officer – Solid gold with piping
A member of the Sons of The American Legion wearing a cap should render and
respond to salutes and conduct himself in the same manner as he would if he were
wearing a military uniform. If you are not wearing a SAL cap, the ordinary rules of
etiquette should be observed. When not wearing the official SAL cap, the proper
salute to the flag is with your right hand over your heart.
The SAL cap is not to be worn during meals or while eating or while consuming
alcoholic beverages.
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Sons of The American Legion YOUTH HANDBOOK
Members of a Squadron Honor Guard should wear the SAL cap in a place of
worship while in marching order or standing guard. SAL members who are not
in formation should uncover when entering the place of worship, remain uncovered during the entire service and re-cover after leaving the place of worship.
History of the American flag
Congress first approved the flag on June 14, 1777.
This date is now observed as Flag Day throughout America. It was first stated
that there would be a star and stripe for each state, making 13 of both. Over the
years, the number of stars has been changed to include one star for each of the 50
states, while the stripes remained the same to represent the 13 original colonies.
Later, the colors of the flag were given special meaning. The red is for valor and
zeal – white is for hope, purity and cleanliness of life – and blue is the color of
heaven, loyalty, sincerity, justice and truth.
The nickname “Old Glory” was given to our flag on Aug. 10, 1831. The flag
means the spirit of liberty and human freedom.
Proper display of the flag
The American Legion is responsible for writing the U.S. Flag Code, and is known
as a leading authority on flag etiquette. All SAL members should understand and
follow the proper procedures for displaying and folding the U.S. flag.
Display of the American flag is usually from sunrise to sunset.
The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main building of every public
place and during school days in or near every schoolhouse.
Flags are flown at half-staff to show grief for lives lost. When the flag is flown at halfstaff, it should be hoisted to the top for a moment, and then lowered to the half-staff
position. The flag should then be raised to the top before it is lowered for the day.
When two or more flags are flown from the same pole, the American flag must
be on top.
When displayed with another flag against a wall, the U.S. flag should be on its
own right (left to a person facing the wall).
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Procedures for folding the flag
There are no specific Flag Code procedures for folding the flag. However, this is
the traditional method:
a) Straighten out the flag to full
length and fold lengthwise once.
b) Fold it lengthwise a second time
to meet the open edge, making
sure that the union of stars on the
blue field remains outward in full
view. (A large flag may have to be
folded lengthwise a third time.)
c) A triangular fold is then started by
bringing the striped corner of the
folded edge to the open edge.
d) The outer point is then turned
inward parallel with the open edge
to form a second triangle.
e) The diagonal or triangular folding
is continued toward the blue
union until the end is reached,
with only the blue showing and
the form being that of a cocked
(three-corner) hat.
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The national anthem
The national anthem of the United States is “The Star-Spangled Banner,” written
by Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the
British in 1812. “The Star-Spangled Banner” became the national anthem by an
act of Congress in 1931. The lyrics:
O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O say does that star spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free, and the home of the brave?
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep.
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
‘Tis the Star-Spangled Banner! O long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the Star-Spangled Banner, in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
O thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war’s desolation!
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must when our cause it is just
And this be our motto: “In God is our Trust.”
And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
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The Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance of the United States, originally composed by Francis
Bellamy in 1892, was adopted by Congress in 1942.
I pledge allegiance (I promise to be true)
to the flag (to the symbol of our country)
of the United States of America (each state that has joined to make our country)
and to the Republic (a republic is a country where people choose others to make
laws for them – the government is for the people)
for which it stands (the flag means the country)
one nation (a single country)
under God (the people believe in a supreme being)
indivisible (the country cannot be split into parts)
with liberty and justice (with freedom and fairness)
for all. (for each person in the country – you and me!)
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Signing the Pledge of Allegiance
Signing the Pledge of Allegiance
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The POW/MIA flag In 1971 Mary Hoff, the wife of Navy pilot Lt. Cmdr.
Michael Hoff, who was listed as missing in action during
the Vietnam War, developed the idea for a national flag
to remind every American of U.S. servicemembers who
were prisoners of war or missing in action. The black
and white image of a gaunt silhouette, a strand of barbed
wire and an ominous watchtower was designed by Newt
Heisley, a former World War II pilot.
By the end of the Vietnam War, more than 2,500 servicemembers were listed as prisoners of war or missing in action. In 1979, Congress
and the president proclaimed the first National POW/MIA Recognition Day.
Three years later, the POW/MIA flag became the only flag other than the Stars
and Stripes to fly over the White House in Washington, D.C.
On Aug. 10, 1990, Congress passed a law designating the POW/MIA flag as: “The
symbol of our nation’s concern and commitment to resolving as fully as possible the
fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for in Southeast Asia.”
Blue Star Service Banners
The Blue Star Service Banner was designed and patented
in 1917 by World War I Army Capt. Robert L. Queissner
of the 5th Ohio Infantry, who had two sons serving on the
front line. It quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child
in the service.
During World War II, the Department of War issued specifications on the manufacture of the flag as well as guidelines
indicating when and by whom the service flag could be
flown or the service lapel button be worn.
Today, Blue Star Service Banners are displayed by families who have a loved
one serving in the armed forces, including the National Guard and Reserves of
all military departments. The banner displayed in the front window of a home
shows a family’s pride in their loved one serving in the military, and reminds others that preserving America’s freedom demands much.
The blue star represents one family member serving in the armed forces. A
banner can have up to five stars, signifying that five members of that family are
currently in military uniform on active duty.
If the individual symbolized is killed or dies while serving, the star representing
that individual will have superimposed on it a gold star of smaller size so that
the blue forms a border. On flags displaying multiple stars, including gold stars,
when the flags are suspended as against a wall, the gold star(s) will be to the right
of, or above the blue star(s) a place of honor nearest the staff.
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The American’s Creed
I believe in the United States of America as a government for the people, by the
people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign nation of many sovereign states; a perfect union, one
and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice and
humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.
I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it; to support its Constitution; to obey its laws; to respect its flag; and to defend it against all enemies.
PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES
The American Legion promotes several programs aimed at young adults.
Among them:
The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship
Program – a Constitutional Speech Contest
High school students develop a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the
U.S. Constitution when competing in the oratorical contest. Contestants research
and give speeches related to the Constitution, starting with competitions at the
post level. Winners at the state level go to Indianapolis for the national finals
every April. The top three winners at the national level receive scholarships for
$18,000; $16,000; and $14,000, respectively.
American Legion Baseball
Many posts sponsor an American Legion baseball team. Teams compete on the
local, state and national level. The American Legion World Series is played each
year in Shelby, N.C., and broadcast by ESPNU.
Boys State
American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for high school students. It is a participatory program where each participant becomes a part of the operation of his local,
county and state government. The American Legion has established qualifications
for prospective Boys State citizens. Only males who have successfully completed
their junior year of high school and have at least one more semester of high school
remaining are considered eligible to participate. Each year, two state representatives from Boys State attend Boys Nation in the Washington, D.C., area.
Junior Shooting Sports
This program is for boys and girls from elementary to high school age. They are
taught gun safety and basic marksmanship. This program also includes a national
championship, held over the summer in Colorado, where two $1,000 scholarships are awarded by the Sons of The American Legion.
Sons of The American Legion YOUTH HANDBOOK
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Youth Cadet Law Enforcement
The program is available to male and female high school students who have completed their junior year of high school and are in good academic standing. They
should be of good moral character and possess a desire to learn more about law
enforcement. High schools should recommend students who meet these qualifications to local posts sponsoring the Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Program.
Children and youth
SAL members can assist in this program by helping all children realize their full
potential by instilling three basic goals:
1. Help strengthen families.
2. Serve children’s physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual needs.
3. Support other organizations that help children and youth.
Some ways to achieve these goals include participating as a volunteer in Special
Olympics and assisting with community service programs aimed at children’s
activities in your community.
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Sons of The American Legion YOUTH HANDBOOK
WEBSITES AND RESOURCES
• Sons of The American Legion: www.legion.org/sons
• The American Legion: www.legion.org
• American Legion Auxiliary: www.alaforveterans.org
• American Legion Riders: www.legion.org/riders
• American Legion Emblem Sales: emblem.legion.org
• American Legion Child Welfare Foundation: www.cwf-inc.org
Sons of The American Legion
Stock # 00-201
Artwork # 63IA0315
P.O. Box 1055
Indianapolis, IN 46206
(317) 630-1200
www.legion.org/sons